Incident Overview
A pilot reported a bird strike incident that occurred shortly after departure. The aircraft was approximately 13 miles from the airport when the pilot saw a large bird pass by the passenger side windshield. No immediate impact was felt or heard.
Details of the Encounter
Within a few minutes of seeing the bird, the pilot noticed a foul odor in the cockpit. A visual inspection confirmed that the bird had struck the leading edge of the right horizontal stabilizer, resulting in substantial damage to that component.
Aftermath
The pilot executed a 180-degree turn and returned to the departure airport, where the aircraft landed uneventfully. No further details were provided regarding the aircraft type, registration, or any other specifics.